Plaiting machine



Feb. 24, 1931, L. ANGELUS 1,793,769

PLAITING MACHINE I Filed Feb. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORZmabAngeluJ,

Feb. 24, 1931. L. ANGELUS 1,793,769

PLAITING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNV-ENTORZazalsAqelu'd;

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Patented Feb. 24, 1931 LOUIS ANGELUS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLAITING- MACHINE Application filed. February 25, 1929. Serial No.342,33

My present invention relates generally to plaiting machinery, and hasparticular ref erence to an apparatus for providing a piece of goodswith a set of radially. arranged plaits.

The type of plaiting for which my present machine is designed iscommonly known as sunburst plaiting. It involves the employment of twocomplementary patterns which are made of relatively stiff paper or thelike and which areprovided with sets of radially arranged plaits of thesize desired. These patterns are substantially fan-shaped and areemployed by spreading the same in superposed relationship, sandwiching apiece of goods therebctween, thereupon collapsing the two patterns withthe sandwiched material between, and finally subjecting the collapsedassembly to steam or the like.

T he fan-shaped nature of the patterns in conjunction with the radialfolds or plaits therein renders the manipulation thereof extremelydii'ficult. The patterns have a tendency to collapse, and it istherefore anything but a simple matter to lay them substantially flatupon a table or the like. Even after this has been accomplishedan-d thepiece of goods laid between them, the subsequent manual collapsing ofthe patterns, fold by fold, re- Frequently the patterns jump or slip andthe entire proceduremust be started over again.

it is a general object of my invention to provide a machine which willaccomplish the formation of radial plaits of the character mentioned inan extremely simple, exieditious, and reliable manner, requiring aminimum of time and skill, and producing uniformly satisfactory results.

Briefly, my invention resides in the provision of a machine whereingripping means are provided for engaging the opposite ends of twocomplementary patterns, these gripping means being positionable upon asuitable table for the purpose of arranging the patterns in spreadsuperposed relationship and hold ing them in such arrangement inaccordance with my invention, the gripping means are adjustable for thepurpose of enabling the patterns to be collapsed without anydisengagement of the opposite ends thereof;

and the adj ustmcnt or movement which is necessary for accomplishingsuch a collapse is ciiiciontly and reliably guided in accordance withpredetermined plan. as In a preferred embodiment, I provide a pair ofclamping; devices, each of which is brought into substantial parallelismwith the collapsed patterns therebetwecn. My invention provides forclamping these devices together at this stage and for thereupon withdrawing such clamped assembly from the tabio and subsequently handlingthe same as a unit, as for purposes of steaming or the like.

A particular feature of my invention lies in providing means forsuitably guiding the movement of one of the clamping devices during thecollapse of the patterns. This move ment is not truly alon a circularare, as will be more clearly set forth hereinafter, but is partlyrotational and partly translational. My present invent-ion is based upona full appreciation of this fact and makes provision for the same. i

In general, it is an object to provide a machine which is extremelysimple in structural nature, whereby the cost thereof is extremely low;and which is easy to operate upon repeated occasions withoutnecessitating exceptional skill and without any likelihood of impairedoperation.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects asmay hereinafter Iii appear or be pointed out, I have constructed adevice embodying the features of my invention and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of amachine constructed in accordance with my present invention, showing theparts in the positions they assume after two complementary patterns havebeen arranged in spread relationp;

Figure 2 is a plan view, with parts broken away for the sake ofclearness;

Figure 3 is an elevational cross-section taken substantially along theline 33 of Figure 2;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are cross-sectional views, on enlarged scales,takensubstantially along the lines 44, '55, and 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 after the patterns have beencollapsed;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the clamped assembly ready to behandled as a unit for purposes of steaming or the like;

' Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view upon an enlarged scale of the twocomplementary patterns; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line10-10 of Figure 7.

In the embodiment which I have chosen for illustration, I have provideda table 10 of substantially semi-circular shape, this table beingsuitably mounted upon legs 11 or the like. Pivoted to the table is anarm 12 whose function will be presently described. This arm ispreferably a casting of substantial weightand it is curved as shown inFigure 2 for apurpose which will hereinafter appear. The arm is mountedupon the table 10 in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 3. A sleevemember 13 extends downwardly through an opening in the table and isprovided at its upper end with a circular disc or boss 14. Screws 15 orthe like extend through the boss 14 and secure .the same to the table.One end of the arm 12 is provided with a sleeve 16 adapted to engageover the upper end of a pin 17 which extends through the member 13. Apin 18 or the like secures the sleeve 16 upon the pin 17, and a collar19 provided with a set screw 20 prevents the pin 17 from riding upwardlyout oft-he member 13. I prefer to provide a suitable ball bearing or thelike 21 in association iththis pivoted mounting.

At the free end of the arm 12 is a sleeve 22 within which a pin 23 ismounted for reciprocal movement. The upper end of the pin is providedwith the hand knob 24, and a compression spring 25 arranged within thesleeve 22 is adapted to force the pin 23 downwardly under normalconditions. By lifting up on the knob 24 the pin 23 may be drawn intothe sleeve 22.

I A pair clamping devices adapted to engage the opposite ends of a.pattern or patterns of the character herein involved are removablysecurable to the table 10 in substantially radial positions with respectto the pivot axis of the arm'12. In the illustrated embodiment,

these clamping devices have been shown in substantial alignment onopposite sides of the boss 14. Each of the clamping devices comprisesessentially two parts or jaws;

Referring more particularly to Figures 3 and 4 I will point out that oneof ti e clamping devices is herein shown as composed of a metallic lowerjaw or plate 26 and an upper j aw or block 27. One set of ends of thepatterns 28 and 29 is adapted to be clamped between the upper surface ofthe plate 26 and the undersurface of the block 27. Although thisclamping may be a removable one, I have found it preferable, inconnection with this particular end of the patterns, to make theassociation a permanent one, i. e., for the life of the patterns. I havetherefore shown the ends of the patterns 28 and 29 ensheathed in astrip'of canvas or the like 30, and I have shown a set of wood screws 31extending up wardly through the plate 26, through the reinforcedsuperposed ends of the patterns 28 and 29, and into the wooden block 27A pair of lugs or bosses 32 provided on the table 10 define the positionof this clamping device, and the means for removably securing thisdevice to the table 10 is shown as comprising a slotted tongue 33projecting laterally from the plate 26, this tongue being adapted toengage about a stud 34 projecting upwardly from the table 10. A wingnut35 engages with the stud 34 and may be manipulated by hand to clampthe tongue 33 onto the table 10. I Carried by the block 27 is a casting36 provided with'the spaced lugs or ears 3? and 38.

Each of these lugs is provided with a bore in which pins 39 and 40 arerespectively mounted in a loose manner. Thepins 39 and 40 have knobs 41and 42 at their ends, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The casting 36 is further provided with a slot or recess 43 arrangedsubstantially over a midportion of the block 27 and parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the latter. The pin 23 is adapted to engage withinthe slot 43 for a purpose presently to be described.

t is to be noted that the block 27 is tapered, being of less height nearthe pivot axis of the arm 12 than at the opposite end thereof. Theamountof tapering depends primarily upon the sizes of the plaits in thepatterns with which the clamping device is associated.

Upon reference to Figures 3, 5, and 6, I will point out that theopposite clamping device may advantageously be composed of the base jawor plate 44 which is in this case not permanently associated with theupper jaw or block 45 but is reinovably attachable thereto.

.For this purpose I have provided the studs 46, 47, and 48 which extendupwardly from the plate 44, and I have provided suitable openings in theblock 45 so that the latter mav be set downwardly upon the plate 44 withtlfe studs 46-48 extending through the block 45.

A casting 49 is mounted upon the block 45 and is similar to the casting36, having the bored lugs or ears 50 and 51. The latter are sopositioned that when. the block 27 is ultimately brought intosubstantial parallelism with the block 45 as shown in Figures 7 and 8the pins 39 and 40 may be passed through the bored lugs 50 and 51. Apair of thumb screws 52 and 53 serve to hold such pins within the lugs50 and '51.

The stud 47 is of suiiicient length to extend upwardly through thecasting 49, and a thumb screw 54 is adapted to engage with the stud 47to hold the block 45 down upon the base plate 44.

The casting 49 is also provided with a handle 55.

Referring for the moment to Figure 9 I will point out that whereas Ihave provided the piece of canvas or the like 30 in engage ment with oneset of superposed ends of the patterns 28 and 29, the opposite ends ofthese patterns are entirely disconnected. The end 56 of the pattern 28is preferably reinforced by a canvas or the like 57, and a set ofeyelets 58 are provided in this reinforced end at suitably spacedpoints. A similar reinforcement 59 is provided upon the end 60 of thepattern 29, an d a similar set of eyelets 61 are arranged at similarspaced point V W hen the device is employed, the clampin g device ofFigure 4 is secured to the table 10. At the same time, the plate 44 issecured to the table by means of the slotted tongue 62, the stud 63, andthe wing nut 64. The block 45 and parts carried thereby are removed fromthe plate 44. The lower pattern (29) is then spread out and the eyelets61 are hooked over the studs 46, 47, and 48. The

inner curved edge of this pattern conforms with the periphery of theboss 14, the latter thereby serving to facilitate the spreading out ofthis pattern. 7 As a further aid in holding this pattern in position, Iprefer to provide a pin 65 upon the table 10 as shown in Figures *2 and10. This pin normally projects up \vardiy through the table and isprovided with spring means as shown most clearly in Figure 10 torpermitting the same to be yieldably pressed downwardly flush with thetable top (as by pressing upon the lever 66). I provide a suitableeyelet in a midportion of the mittern 29 for engagement over the pin 65.

This having been accomplished, the piece of goods which is to beplait-ed is laid upon the spread pattern 29. This piece of goods may beof any desired size or shape, but will preferably conform substantiallyto a fanshape, and will not extend radially beyond the pin 65. I thenproceed to cover the piece of goods by the upper pattern 28 and duringthe spreading ofthis pattern I engage a. suitable eyelet over the pin 65and finally engage the eyelets 58 over the studs 46, 47, and Thereupon,the block 45 is set down upon the plate 44 to firmly hold the end-s 56and 60 in position. The thumb screw 54 serves to complete the clampingor engagement of the ends 56 and 60.

The patterns are now in condition for a collapsing thereof. The arm 12is swung into the position of Figures 1 and 2, and the pin 23 is broughtinto engagement with the slot 43. The operator then releases the wingnut 35 and proceeds to move the block 27 and the parts connectedtherewith toward the po sition illustrated in Figure 7. He does thiswith two hands, the curved nature of the arm 12 giving his right handaccess to the forward face of the block .27. The patterns are collapsed.fold by fold, and the arm 12 not only ides the movement of the block 27but prevents t is same from slipping or jumping out of control under thepeculiar tension and resilience of the plaited patterns. As the operatorpasses the pin 65, he releases the patterns from thi pin. This he mayaccomplish either by lifting the 'iatterns upwardly oh? the pin 65,where the mine is stationary, or by manipulating the lever 66 to depressthe pin out of engagemr-int with the patterns. Ultimately. the clampingdevices will have been brought into the substantially parallel positionsof Figure 7. with the collapsed patterns therebetwecn. he pins 39 and 40are then caused to pass through the bored lugs 50 and 5]. and after theclan'iping devices have been squeezed together so as to compress thepat- 64 in order to enable the entirely clamped as sembly to be liftedbodily as a unit by means of the handle 55. This assembly appears as inFigure 8 and may, in this condition, be placed into a steam chamber orthe like, or mmiipulated in other respects, in order to con'iplcte theplaiting operation.

The machine is similarly used, but in a re" verse manner, after thesteaming and other i'nocessing has been completed. The plate 44 is firstIii-(night into its proper position (determined by the lugs 66) and thewing nut is tightened. The thumb screws 52 and 53 are then released andthe bloclrfl? is swung back to its original position. where it issecured by means of the ring nut 35. The thumb screw 54 is then releasedand. by means of the bandle the block 45 is lifted off of the studs 46,47, and 48. The upper pattern is then released from these studs anddrawn out of the way to uncover the plaited piece of goods. After thelatter has been removed, a new piece of goods may be inserted and theprocess repeated. Or, if the use of the particular patterns 28 and 29 isno longer desired, the lower pattern 29 is lifted from the studs 46-48and the entire clamping device which includes the block "27 and theplate 26. and which is ermanently secured to the patterns 28 and 29, isremoved from the machine.

The purpose of the slot 43 will be obvious upon reference to Figures 2and 7. Al-

though it would appear ofi'hand that the movement of the block 27 is apurely rotational one, nevertheless it willbe obvious that this is notthe fact, otherwise it would 2 not reach parallelism with the block 45until it contacted the same. This is of course impossible since'thecollapsed patterns have a certain thickness. As a matter of fact, theblock 27 travels not only in a circular path,

" but also in a radial direction away from the pivot axis. To permitotsuch movement, the slot 43 is provided, and although the pin 23contacts with the outer end of the slot at the start of the procedure,itcontacts withthe inner end of the slot at the conclusion, as shown inFigure 7.

I want to point out further thatithe pins 39 and 40 serve the additionalfunction of maintaining the patterns in collapsed condi- '39 and 40.

It will be obvious that changes in the'details herein described andillustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention maybe made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It istherefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative,and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a plaitingmachine, the combimrtion of a table, a pair of complementaryradiallyplaited tan-shaped patterns, and gripping means adapted toengage the'opposite ends of said patterns to hold them in spreadsuperposed relationship upon said table, whereby a piece of goods to beplaited may be interposed 'therebetween, said gripping means beingadjustable to collapse said patterns and bring said engaged ends intosubstantial parallelism.

2. In a plaiting machine, the combination 0]": a table, a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited l an-shaped pattern, gripping meansadapted to engage theopposite ends of said patterns to hold them inspread superposed relationship upon said table, whereby a piece of goodsto be plaited may be interposed thereb'et-ween, said gripping meansbeing' movable to collapse said patterns and bring said engaged endsinto substantial parallelism, and means for guiding said movement.

3; In a plaiting machine,.the combination or a table, a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited fan-shaped patterns, gripping meansadapted to engage the opposite ends of said patterns to hold them inspread superposed relationship upon said table, whereby a piece of goodsto be plaited may be interposed therebetween, said gripping means beingmovable tocollapse said patterns and bring said engaged ends intosubstantial parallelism,'and an arm pivoted to the table at the axis ofsaid patterns and associated at its free endwitli said gripping meansfor guiding said movement.

l. In a plaiting machine, the combination of atable, a pair ofcomplementary radially-plaited tan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively, and means for removably securing said devices to thetablein positions which arrange said patterns in spread superposedrelationship -on said table; whereby a pi'ecelot goods to be plaitedmaybe interposed between said patterns, and whereby said devices maythen be moved to ether to colla se said s'atterns.

5. In a plaiting machine, the combination.

of a table, a pair of complementary radiallyplaited'ian-shaped patterns,a pair of clamping-devices adapted to engage the opposite ends of saidpatterns respectively, means for removably securing said devices to thetable in positions which arrange said patterns in spread superposedrelationship on said table; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited maybe interposed between said patterns, and whereby said patterns may thenbe collapsed by moving one of said devices relative to the other; andmeans for guiding said movement along a predetermined substantiallyarcuate path.

6. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited 'fan-shaped patterns,a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively, means for removably securing said devices to the table inpositions which arrange said patterns in spread superposed relationshipon said table; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited may be interposedbetween said patterns, and where- 'by said patterns may then becollapsed by moving one of said devices relative-to the other; and meansfor guiding said movement along a partially arcuate and partially radialpath to bring said devices ultimately into substantial parallelisnrwiththe collapsed patterns between them.

7. In a plaiting machine, the combination 01 a table, a pair ofcomplementary radially-plaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the- CJI mes

opposite ends of said patterns respectively, means for removablysecuring said devices to the table in positions which arrange saidpatterns in spread superposed relationship on said table; whereby apiece of goods to be plaited may be interposed between said patterns,and whereby said patterns may then be collapsed by moving one of saiddevices relative to the other; and means for guiding said movement alonga predetermined substantially arcuate path; said last-named meanscomprising an arm pivoted to the table at the axis of the patterns andpivoted at its free end to said clamping device.

8. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radially-plaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively, means for removably securing said devices to the table inpositions which arrange said patterns lIl spread superposed relationshipon said table; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited may be interposedbetween said patterns, and whereby said patterns may then be collapsedby moving one of said devices relative to the other; and means forguiding said movement along a predetermined substantially arcnate path;said last-named means comprising an arm pivoted to the table at the aXisof the patterns and provided with means at its free end for removablypivoting the latter end to said clamping device.

9. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radially-plaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively,

means for removably securing said devices to the table in positionswhich arrange said patterns in spread superposed relationship on saidtable; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited may be interposed betweensaid patterns, and whereby said patterns may then be collapsed by movingone of said devices relative to the other; and means for guiding saidmovement along a predetermined substantially arcuate path; saidlastnamed means comprising an arcnate arm pivoted at one end to thetable at the axis of the patterns and pivotally associated at itsopposite end. with a midportion of said clamping device.

10. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radially-plaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively,

means for removably securing said devices to the table in positionswhich arrange said patterns in spread superposed relationship on saidtable; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited may be interposed betweensaid patterns, and whereby said patterns may then be collapsed movingone of said devices relative to the other; and means for clamping saiddevices together with the collapsed patterns therebetween.

11. In a plaiting machine, the co1nbination of a table, a pair ofcompleincntary radially'plaitcd fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively, means for rcmovably securing said devices to the table inpositions which ar ange said patterns in spread superposed relationshipon said table; whereby a piece of goods to be plaitcd may be interposedbetween said patterns, and whereby said patterns may then be collapsedby moving one of said devi es relative to the other; and means forcla1nping said devices together with the collapsed pa ternstherebetwcen, said last-named mean 1:: including a pin on one of saiddevices and a bored lug on the other of said devices adapted to receivesaid pin tl'ierethrongh.

1.2. In a plai ting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcornplcnientary radiallyplaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively, means for removably securing said devices to the table inpositions which arrange said patterns in spread superposed relatioiishipon said table; whereby a piece of goods to be plaited may be interposedbetween said patterns, and whereby said patterns may then be collapsedby moving one of said devices relative to the other; and means forclamping said devices together with the collapsed patterns therebetween,said last-named means comprising a pair of bored lugs on each of saiddevices, and a pin loosely arranged in each log of one device andadapted to engage within the corresponding lug of the other device.

13. In a plaiting ma chine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively; whereby said devices may be positioned on the table toarrange said patterns in spread relationship with a piece of goods to beplaited int-erposed therebetween, and whereby said patterns may then becolla pscd by moving one of said devices relatively to the other; andmeans for guiding said movement. said means con1- prising a slottedportion on one oi said clamp ing devices, and an arm pivoted at one endto the table at the axis of said spread. patterns and providedat itsother end with a )in adapted to enga e within said slotted C3 portion.

145 In a plaiting machine, the combination superposed relationship witha piece of goods to be plaited interposed therebetween, and whereby saidpatterns may then be collapsed by moving one of said devices relativelyto the other; and means for clamping said devices together with thecollapsed patterns therebetween after said relative movement has beenconsummated. V

1 5. In aplaiting machine, the combination of a tab1 e,apair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited fan-shaped patterns, a pair of clampingdevices adapted to engage the opposite ends of said patternsrespectively; whereby said devices may be positioned on the table toarrange said patterns in spread superposed relationship with a piece ofgoods to be plaited interposed therebetween, and whereby said patternsmay then be collapsed by moving one of said devices relatively to theother; means for removably clamping said devices together after thepatterns have been collapsed, whereby said patterns will be retainedunder pressure between said devices, and a handle on one of said devicesfor enabling said clamped assembly to be withdrawn from the table andsubsequently handled as a unit.

16. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pairofcomplementary radially-plaited fan shaped patterns, a and means forspreading and retaining said patterns in superposed relationship uponthe table, said means including an arcuate boss on said table adapted todefine the disposition of the inner arcuate edges of said patterns.

17. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited' fan-shaped patterns, and means forspreading and retaining said patterns in superposed relationship uponthe table,- said means including an arcuate boss on said table adaptedto define the disposition of the inner arcuate edges of said patterns,and. a pair of clamping devices adapted to engage the opposite ends ofsaid patterns respectively.

18. In a plaiting machine, the combination of a table a pair ofcomplementary radiallyplaited fan-shapedpatterns, and means for 7spreading and retaining said patterns in superposed relationship uponthe table, said means including an'arcuate boss on said table adapted todefine the disposition of the inner arcuate edges of said patterns, apair or" clampingdevicesadapted to'en age. the. op-- posite ends of saidpatterns respectively, and

means for ,removably securing said devices ,to the table insubstantially;radial positions with respect to said boss.

In Witness whereof Ihavesigned thisspeci fication this; 8th dayofFebru-ary, 1929;

1 v V- ,LQUIS ANGELUS.

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